The Chicago Cubs won't discuss a contract extension with Joe Maddon before next season.

Maddon is entering the fifth and final year of his contract.

"We're really focused on digging in and finding ways at getting the absolute most out of 2019," Theo Epstein said. "Joe understood. The only concern expressed is it could be a bit of a distraction at some point. I decided the best thing was to get that news out now."

The Cubs have won more regular season games than anyone in baseball over the last four years.

"We're not running away from Joe in the least bit," Epstein said. "I just think, given that we all have things that we're working on to get more out of this team, and get one game better than we were last year, this is the appropriate move."